Nature Meditation — February

Evening in February

This evening's sun has something of the morn;
A new and warmer light has illumined
The wintry towers of poplars as they mourn
Their trembling ramparts stormed by ice and wind.
Now comes again - as time to ruins render
Remembered glory - this hush of timeless splendour
The captive buds have yet to see this light,
But in their icy cells they feel its glow
And dream their restless dreams of summer bright.
Brief sunset flashes touch the blackened snow
Aflame. After the golden trumpets ring,
The swift bright heralds of the hosts of Spring.

Poem by Roger de Verteuil